A look at some Houston political movers and potential shake ups ...

Ed Emmett, the Harris County judge, is popular and poised, according to many observers.

Ed Emmett, the Harris County judge, is popular and poised, according to many observers.

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Ed Emmett, the Harris County judge, is popular and poised, according to many observers.

Ed Emmett, the Harris County judge, is popular and poised, according to many observers.

A look at some Houston political movers and potential shake ups ...

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State office

Ed Emmett, Harris County judge. Age 61

Potential move: Governor or lieutenant governor

Prognosis: Possibly the most popular elected official in the Greater Houston Area, the two-term-plus Republican “has put out feelers,” according to a well-placed insider, who believes the lieutenant governor’s bid is more likely. Some analysts, however, say it’s the top of the ticket or nothing for Emmett.

Prognosis: This comes as no shock. As Rice University political scientist Robert Stein put it, “He’s all but running now.” With Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst making a bid for U.S. Senate, the timing couldn’t be much better for the Republican freshman who has a strong conservative base, aided by his political talk-radio program.

Prognosis: The term “rising star” comes up frequently. Mentioned almost as often, however, is his need to win re-election as sheriff first. That could be tricky. Said UH political scientist Richard Murray, “Garcia has a bright future, but he doesn’t seem to have the fire in the belly for some long-shot run.”

Prognosis: Son of a former lieutenant governor, grandson of a governor, he publicly toyed with the idea as recently as 2009, saying “I get a lot of phone calls (about running), which is flattering.” Statewide, he narrowly lost to Carole Strayhorn in the 1998 comptroller’s race. “I’d give him a shot,” said a Democratic insider. “He looks the part, and I mean that in a good way.”

Prognosis: A fixture in area government for decades, he also served as chairman of the Harris County Toll Road Authority and as a state representative. Another bid for elective office seemed a bit more unlikely in his case. Said one insider, “the only thing holding him back is the right opportunity.” Stein countered, “He’s a name from the past that will probably remain there.”

Prognosis: A perennial candidate who has lost bids for governor, Houston mayor and state Senate, the consensus is the one-time Houston city councilman may set his sights on the Texas House after studying the redistricting map. Still, money will be an issue for Bell. As Stein put it, “He’s not a good investment, even as a Democrat.”

Washington D.C.

Terry Grier, Houston ISD chairman. Age 61

Potential move: Education Department

Prognosis: The thinking is if the long-time educator succeeds at Houston ISD, he will move on to a think-tank position at some point. But, as Murray put it, based on Grier’s nomadic past he would likely take a senior administration position, if one were offered. That may be unlikely in an Obama administration, because, according to Stein, “the superintendent rails against labor.”

Prognosis: Though another bid for state office seems unlikely - particularly another shot at Gov. Rick Perry - he is no stranger to Washington D.C. having already served as deputy secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration. As a Democrat, a return to a reshuffled Obama White House might be a good fit. A state legislative bid, though not real soon, is also a possibility.

Federal court

Morris Overstreet, former appellate judge. Age 62

Potential move: Federal court (Obama presidency)

Prognosis: As the first African American in Texas to be elected statewide, he wrote more than 500 opinions during eight years on the state’s highest criminal court. Seemingly a good fit, possibly even for the Supreme Court, politics could get in the way. “We’re not in a state Democrats count on,” Stein said.

Prognosis: She would be on a short list of candidates Texas’ GOP governor and senators put forward if requested by a president of either party. While her chances would increase with a Republican in the White House, for political reasons, a Hispanic selection still might have the inside track.